Friday, December 23, 2011

Prayer

Lord, please save the United States of America. 

May we turn from our wicked, sinful, self-focused ways. 

May we seek to live well in you and in your Word, may we pray with determination for John 3:16 to be placed on all hearts, and may we stop settling for lives of mediocrity. 

May the Great Commission be fulfilled in the USA on or by 31 December 2026.

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

As you prepare for the Messiah and Savior...



As you prepare for celebrating the birth of the Messiah and Savior, what is on your heart?

Spend time in prayer about it. Have some special time with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He would love nothing more.

(Photo is from Microsoft Clipart)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Candles



In case you have wondered--why all the candles? Candles represent prayer to me. They center me and are an instrument to help me to pray. Our prayers are to go up as incense... or as a burning candle.

Look at the advent candles... 

Also, fire represents the Holy Spirit. Therefore, candles to me are symbols of holiness and prayer. 

May our prayers be as lively, warm, and constant as the light of a candle. May we be reminded to pray every time we see a candle.

(Clipart is from Microsoft Clipart)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Unite Us, O Lord


We tend to focus so much on our differences that there is friction.

We tend to focus so much on self we forget about everyone else.

We tend to get so busy that we tend to lose focus.

May we remember that we all have one thing in common. We all have souls. We all have a Savior who died for us so that we can have everlasting life. One day, there won't be division. One day, there will be no more tears, loneliness, cancer, regret, sadness, despair, worry, and so on.

Let us unite. We are all souls. We all have one Savior. He's Jesus Christ.

Spread the Good News, the Gospel. Christmas is an opportune time to do so.



Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Another Christmas Prayer for the USA



May the USA learn about the Savior and Messiah this year and believe John 3:16. 

Lord, convict hearts that we long for you alone. You are what is missing in our lives, along with your Word, the Holy Bible.

Help us to seek you and your Word more this year and may we offer you prayers without ceasing. May we also meditate on your Word morning, noon, and night.

We pray that all of the United States of America accepts John 3:16, has a revival, and becomes disciples between now and 31 December 2026.

(Photo by Stacy Duplease. Copyright 22 December 2011.)

~ Stacy Duplease

Lonely This Christmas?

Are you lonely this Christmas--for whatever reason?

Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to you. God bless you. May your heart not be too heavy.

I hope you use this Christmas as a special time to cling to the Savior, to prayer, and to the Word.

Remember we are never really alone because of our Immanuel. God is with us--all the time.

~ Stacy Duplease

(Photo is from Microsoft Clipart)





Prayer Request



I just got some sad news and want to ask prayer for a very special lady. I will call her C. She means a great deal to me and my family.

Well... She has cancer. She will no longer live at home... It's pretty bad...



She has a very close-knit family and support system--thank God. She's a very special lady.

Please pray for her, for what is to come, and for her spirits--of course. She is a woman of God. 

Also, please pray for her family. May this be a very special, blessed, and memorable Christmas for them. 

How sad...

I am praying Joshua 1:9 over C. 

Lord, thank you for taking care of C.


(The happy clipart is from Microsoft clipart and is for C. This will make her smile. For you, C!)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer

Thursday, December 22, 2011

James 5:16 and a Model of Prayer





James 5:16 is a model of/for prayer. May we learn to apply it to all of our prayers.

What can we learn and model from James 5:16 regarding prayer in general and in particular for the USAGC 2026 Prayer? We can learn the following:
a Confess your sins.
b Don't just confess them. Confess your sins to another.
c Pray for each other and for healing.
d The prayers of a righteous person work well. They are powerful. So, pray.

Now, think of the USAGC 2026 prayer. If we took this into consideration, I bet the praying for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the United States of America on or by 31 December 2026 would be far more likely.


(Photo by Stacy Duplease. Copyright 22 December 2011.)



Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Quoting Bible (Scripture) Verses and Passages

I think you will notice that I rarely will quote, or type out, a bible verse or reference on this blog. There is a reason for it. I would rather have you look it up in your favorite Bible and in your favorite translation. Consequently, I will not do so for you. You get so much more out of the verse and passage that way. I just wanted to let you know my reasoning. 

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026


Amen

In case you might wonder... I do not end my prayers, unless they are orally and in front a crowd, with "Amen." There is a reason. I never want to think of prayer as beginning or ending. Rather, I want to think prayer is continuing even though I am not giving it words at the moment. Does that make sense?

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

USAGC 2026 Prayer



May there be fulfillment of the Great Commission in the USA on or by 31 December 2026.

(Photo by Stacy Duplease. Copyright 22 December 2011.)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Presidential Elections Prayer



This is a touchy subject.... Politics and all... And what I am about to say could step on some toes. But, this is a wake-up call for all of us (me included).

What is it about the shower? I do not know about you, but that's when God seems to really speak to me. Today, he spoke to me quite sternly in an effort to get my attention and get me to think with my head and not with my heart. Once he caught my attention, he told me to share the message with you.

It does not matter who any of us likes or wants to be elected. Read that repeatedly until it sinks in. It does NOT matter. It does not MATTER.

So, what does matter? I am glad you asked, because I asked the Lord that same question.

What matters is who GOD wants to be the next President of the United States. 

We tend to elect people, and vote for people, because of all the WRONG reasons. ALL of the wrong reasons. 

Who we vote for does not matter.

It is WHAT we vote for that matters. We need to vote for who God wants and the individual who does NOT do anything in office for their own agenda--or anyone else's. So, we need to pray for a selfless person for the office. 

The individual MUST obey God and obey God's Word. Period. End of story. Again, re-read that repeatedly until it sinks in.

It does NOT matter if we like the person or not. What matters is that they are president--based on biblical principles alone. They are a servant of God then and that is who should, and must, be president. If we vote for anyone else, then WE ARE LIVING IN SIN. If we do not vote for a man or woman of God, who will live the Word regardless of what anyone (or any group) wants or prefers, then we are actively and intentionally disobeying the Lord and the Bible. Period.

If we do not vote, we are not right. We are in the wrong. We are to vote the person who will stand on biblical principles and not stand by as someone is elected who fails to do so. 

Forget the people who are campaigning. What they stand for is what matters. It does not matter how they look. It does not matter how they speak. It does not matter if we like them. It does not matter if they say catchy phrases. It does not matter. What matters is what they stand on. Do they stand on self and/or agendas? Or do they stand on the Word of God? 

Look at these elections in a way you NEVER have before. Look at them ONLY through the lens of the Bible. Forget everything else. Who stands the most with biblical principles? Who does God want? Nothing else matters.

This is the wake-up, foot to my pants insight I needed. How about you? 

I think it's critical we spend EXTENDED time in prayer as the primary season is starting--and until the elections. May this be our focal prayer of determination. Pray without ceasing. This is critical. There is too much at stake.

What is wrong with the USA? We are. We have forgotten it's not about us or what we would prefer. It's about God.

(Clipart is from Microsoft Clipart)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Prayer



Lord, you are Immanuel. You are God with us. You are our Father, our Abba.
Help us to get to know you more each and every day. We want more of you and your Word in our life by the day--and much less of us and self. 
Teach us how to pray. Show us how to pray for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the USA on or by 31 December 2026. That's the USAGC 2026 Prayer. Also, help us to take it much more seriously than what we do. Souls are at stake. We tend to forget this. Hence, teach us how to pray continually the USAGC Prayer.
Help us to understand what you want us to do regarding the prayer of USAGC 2026. How do you want us to pray? When? How long? Who specifically do you want us to pray for, Lord? 
Help our unbelief.
Lord, we want to bring you maximum glory in our lives. This includes through the USAGC 2026 prayer campaign. 
May the Great Commission be fulfilled in the United States of America on or by 31 December 2026. 
Use us, Lord. 
We love you. 
Thank you for all you have done, are doing, and will do because each of our prayers. To you be the glory!

(Photo by Stacy Duplease. Copyright 2011.)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Sentimental Journey



I do not know about you, but I sure get sentimental at this time of year. It's not that I long to repeat the past. The past is done.

It's that I love to make memories and remember them. I also like to plan on making them.

Here's a question for you.

Do you ever get sentimental about your journey with God and what he has done in your life? 

If so, good for you! When was the last time you did that? Also, why did you get sentimental? 

If not, why not? 

Try to go on a sentimental journey for the rest of the year 2011. Remember what God and you have gone through together. Remember what he has done. What have you prayed? What answers have you received and why? This is an opportune time to prayer journal, by the way. Remember what he has asked of you. Focus on this year. Then, peek backward. What about the last two years? The last 3? 5? 10? 15? And every 5 years after that?

What blessings has the Lord given you this year?

What blessings does the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Savior, bring to you and your life?

Remember...

(Clipart is from Microsoft Clipart)



Sentimental Journey



I do not know about you, but I sure get sentimental at this time of year. It's not that I long to repeat the past. The past is done.

It's that I love to make memories and remember them. I also like to plan on making them.

Here's a question for you.

Do you ever get sentimental about your journey with God and what he has done in your life? 

If so, good for you! When was the last time you did that? Also, why did you get sentimental? 

If not, why not? 

Try to go on a sentimental journey for the rest of the year 2011. Remember what God and you have gone through together. Remember what he has done. What have you prayed? What answers have you received and why? This is an opportune time to prayer journal, by the way. Remember what he has asked of you. Focus on this year. Then, peek backward. What about the last two years? The last 3? 5? 10? 15? And every 5 years after that?

What blessings has the Lord given you this year?

What blessings does the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Savior, bring to you and your life?

Remember...

(Clipart is from Microsoft Clipart)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

Is God Calling You?



Is God calling you?

Does he want you to live a life of prayer?

Does he want you to live a life of determined and bold prayer?

Does God want you to have a deeper and more loyal faith?

Does he want you to help fulfill the Great Commission?

If your answer is 'yes' to any of the above, please consider joining me and praying for the Great Commission to be fulfilled in the United States of America on or by 31 December 2026.

Please either send me an email to the address below. Or, add a comment to any of these blog posts and let me know. 

Blessings,

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep, Snow, and White Christmas



My favorite Christmas movie of all time is White Christmas.

One of the songs is what I always think of all year long. It is the song "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep." Take a look at this link:


It makes us re-frame our times of challenges in life. As prayer warriors, I think we need to both count our blessings when we cannot sleep and take it as an opportunity to pray. Often times, God will wake us and keep us awake as a call to pray. 

Then, here is a little fun. I love this song from White Christmas. The harmony is fantastic--and it's just fun! Check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTQrNQm3yZQ&feature=related

(Clipart is from Microsoft Clipart)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Problem with Daily Bible Reading (Tell me I am not the only one!), But Reading Anyway





PROBLEM WITH DAILY BIBLE READING AND DAILY BIBLE STUDY
I have a major problem with Daily Bible Reading. I rarely can finish my daily reading so on day 7, I have to read ten chapters or so.

The problem I have is the same problem I have with personal Bible study. The reason is not what you might think. 

It's rather funny because both my Bible reading and my studying suffered yesterday, and today so far, for the same reason. It's because I get stuck. But, again, it's probably not why would might think. 

I get stuck because I get so blown away and awestruck by the verse that I have to stop and allow it to settle in my mind. It sweeps me away and I can ponder the verse, or a few words from the verse, for a week. So, if I want to do Daily Bible reading and finish reading the Bible in a year, it gets tricky. I need to be realistic here. I can be swept away by most of what I read in the Bible and can pray that Word, meditate, and ponder it for days, weeks, months, and in a few cases...years. 

CHECKLIST FAITH IS WRONG
Boy am I glad a checklist faith is actually wrong. It has the wrong motives at heart and actually turns faith into a requirement rather than into a relationship. 

HOW?
That being said... I really want to finish reading the Bible in less than a year for 2012. So... How do I go about doing it?

TIP
I make sure to read some Old Testament AND some New Testament readings each week. It's typically the New Testament I could ponder the longest. It's hard to ponder all the family lineages and numbers of tribes and thou shall not's of the Old Testament.

(Photo is Microsoft Clipart)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Bold Enough?

Are your prayers bold enough?

Or do you limit what God can do?

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Why Should You Prayer Journal?



There are several reasons why you should try to prayer journal:

1 Why not? 

2 The process of writing out your prayers draws you closer to God.

3 You will obey the command in Habakkuk 2:1-3 if you prayer journal.

4 It helps you remember what you've prayed.

5 It helps you remember what you need to pray.

6 It helps you remember what prayers God has answered, how, and when.

7 It marks the important monuments or mile-markers in your life. 

8 It reduces stress.

9 It reduces depression.

10 It keeps your mind occupied and focused on the Lord and on his Word.

Etc.

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

What is Prayer Journaling?

Prayer Journaling is writing out your prayers to God.

That's the simplest definition. 

The very thought of writing is an instant turn-off to some. However, what happens if you push your preconceived notions to the side and give it a try? What would it hurt?



What is Prayer Journaling?



Prayer Journaling is writing out your prayers to God.

That's the simplest definition. 

The very thought of writing is an instant turn-off to some. However, what happens if you push your preconceived notions to the side and give it a try? What would it hurt?

(Photo is from Microsoft Clipart)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

A Watered Down Faith

Do you water down your faith? Do you hold back? Are you afraid of being viewed as a wacky Christian? (You know... One of 'those.')

Why?

How can you be more bold in your faith?

How can you be more bold in your prayers?

A Watered Down Faith

Do you water down your faith? Do you hold back? Are you afraid of being viewed as a wacky Christian? (You know... One of 'those.')

Why?

How can you be more bold in your faith?

How can you be more bold in your prayers?

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

A toned down faith?

Should Denver Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow tone it down--when he talks about this faith?

Check out this article. It is a good one--and the very last section gives us advice regarding the Great Commission. 

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=36831

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026